#SpringStatement At 8am this morning I passed 9 people sleeping, or waking up from sleeping in doorways on Henry St. I gave up counting after 9. As I walked down Talbot St I didn't spot the couple I often see sitting against a door, sniffing solvents. I passed two men, worse for wear and with sleeping bags over their shoulders, walking by the striking bus drivers at Bus Áras. Last night the service on Merchants Quay was temporarily closed due to an attack on a staff member. There is absolutely everything wrong with the policies related to homelessness in Ireland. And these are just the visible signs. I've heard an awful lot of do-gooders and holy-joes speak in my time, but no one has ever really had such an impact as Peter McVerry, an example of compassion, perseverance, rage, and yet somehow calmness too. Fundraising for homelessness is not just about beds and food, but in Ireland these organisations also need continued support so they can research and present policy recommendations etc to government in the hope that something might sink in. Noonan can promise all the tax cuts he wants, but as long as such massive pits are opening up beneath the marginalised in society, I hope that we won't feel comfortable with our sweetened take home pay.
